Archive for the ‘leadership skills’ Category
Leadership Skills – 10 Most Important Skills to Become a Successful Leader
A Leader must posses the following skills to aspire to become a leader.
1) Positive approach towards the decisions:- A leader must have a positive approach to the things happening around him. He must have the ability to keep the environment fresh and healthy. He should be a perfect guider for his subordinates. He should be able to convince the people about the decisions taken by him.
2) Problem solving: – He should always have the right techniques to solve the various problems. He should always see that the problems will be solved. People should be satisfied with the techniques used by the leader.
3) Effective communication: – An efficient Leader must have good, convincing communication skills. He should be able to convince his thoughts to his subordinates in a proactive manner. He should be confident enough before approaching any issue.
4) New ideas: – He should have the perfect ideas for any problems. He should have a challenging attitude. The people working under him should be satisfied with his guidance.
5) Good learner, Listener: – A leader should be a good learner as well as a good listener. He should take appropriate decisions at time. He should be able to undertake any hold of a difficultly of a challenging responsibility. He should be practical at times as well.
6) Keeping commitments: – He should know the depth of the given responsibility and act accordingly. He should be a good motivator as well as an anticipator.
7) Share expertise, knowledge: – He should share his experiences and knowledge to build good applications and successful projects.
Immediate appreciation: – Whenever someone does a good job he should appreciate it immediately. Also if someone has not done his job according to the expectations, he should discuss with him in person and teach him how to tackle the problem.
9) Decision taking attitude: – To be a successful leader two qualities are important-(1) he should be a balanced person (2) he should be a guider. He should not lose his calm on minor issues. He should be a team- builder and efficient leader.
10) Delegate responsibility and authority: – He should delegate responsibility and authority to his subordinates. This will help to build confidence in them.
Summary:- It is very important to have above mentioned skills for performing leadership role.
Leadership Skills: 7 Key Competencies For Exceptional Leaders
We take it for granted that leaders have good communication skills, can motivate people and get results. This article explores seven advanced competencies that set truly great leaders apart.
1 – Courage
A true leader is prepared to go out on a limb to get results. Be prepared to face difficult or risky situations with resolution, self-possession and confidence. Motivate others to follow in such situations. Go for it.
2 – Vision
Have a clear purpose and be able to paint a picture of your vision to others. Mediaeval leaders used symbols on their shields and banners representing their cause, which acted as a rallying point for their followers. What is on your banner?
3 – Inspiring Followership
Why should I follow you? What makes it worth my while? Identify what motivates your followers and capitalise on it. Take notice of their level of willingness to follow you, and adjust your behaviour, communication and example-setting to build their willingness.
4 – Serving
“I lead by serving, I serve by leading”. Serving in a leadership context is a two way street. The leader serves a higher purpose, whether it is a corporation, a deity or an ideal. The leader also serves their people. When you give to those around you as much as you expect them to give to you, you will be rewarded by respect and trust from motivated and inspired followers.
5 – Advocacy.
Present compelling arguments in favour of your cause, idea or policy. Actively demonstrate support for the issue. Be ready to speak fluently and passionately about your cause. Great leaders are inspirational when talking about or debating their cause.
6 – Decision-Making
Sometimes it’s tough; sometimes it feels like any decision you make is full of pitfalls, but as a leader you have to make decisions. So make your decisions with conviction, display confidence in your decisions, take ownership of them and follow them through to implementation.
7 – Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurs show agility, speed of response and independence of thinking, driven by the awareness of threat from competition or market conditions. An entrepreneurial leader harnesses this sense of urgency to get results. Leaders with this attribute dream big dreams and achieve big goals.
Leadership Skills – Can You Learn Skills or Naturally Born With It
Is there such a thing as a natural born leader? That’s debatable. He/she is a “born leader”. Haven’t we all heard this statement made at various times? In the realm of royalty this appears to be the theory. In the realm of reality does this hold true or are leaders developed?
A new parent or grandparent gazing at their newborn family member is sure to see greatness. The truth be told there is no agenda or plan attached. We are born with character traits and potential into which skills, experience and environment play crucial elements. After all Mozart, Monet, Elvis, Picasso and Hemingway were not born musicians and artists but with the creative potential to develop into the exceptional artists they became.
Some people have the intelligence and personality to be a good or great leader but lack the ability and/or drive to capitalize on their aptitude. History shows us that even though some are born into leadership roles this does not always make for good leaders.
Leadership is a process of influencing others. Charisma is often described as the ability to charm of influence people and is key to leadership. It is a trait. With charisma you have the ability to attract attention and inspire confidence. You either have it or you don’t. It is not available at the convenience store. It must be combined with other traits and abilities to make a good leader.
Genetics plays a part .You may not be born to be a leader any more than to be a farmer, doctor or astronaut. Most people are not cut out to be leaders. They dislike speaking out, making changes, or conflict, all obstacles that leaders must meet.
Can leadership be taught?
West Point is a prime example of a leadership-training institute. West Point does not turn young men and women into leaders. West Point turns out leaders after providing them with the tools to develop the leader within. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it happens. Students who go to West Point see the potential officer inside themselves already. Those who go into training for high-end careers already have the traits of a leader: drive, ambition, a willingness to sacrifice for goals.
Universities teach leadership, private industry buys leadership programs, public schools teach and provide leadership opportunities to our youth. A lot of time, talent and money is spent on teaching leadership. Society has invested heavily in leadership training. It may not be possible to teach people to become great leaders but you can give them the tools to improve the leadership skills they possess. It is up to the individual to add the necessary ingredients such as determination, communication, influence and vision to lead effectively.
It well may be that a blending of hardwired character traits you are born with and develop along with skills and experience combine to create successful leaders.
However, leaders do come forth naturally. Watch the children on a playground. One will come forward with the idea of what game to play or activity to do and the others will follow. Life requires leadership, someone must make the decisions and others in turn will follow. If not we would all be standing one by one in solitude and our very existence would be lost.